Mobb Deep makes a powerful and meaningful return with Infinite, a full-length posthumous project that honors the legacy of the late Prodigy alongside surviving member Havoc. As one of the greatest rap duos in hip-hop history, Mobb Deep earned its reputation through haunting production and gritty storytelling. Infinite continues this legacy by featuring modern collaborations that connect different generations of rap. In this album, Havoc creates a soundscape that remains true to the nostalgia of Queensbridge while offering fans a fresh perspective on Prodigy’s timeless voice. It's interesting to note that Prodigy contributes 42.6% of the lyrics while Havoc accounts for 38.3%. The featured artists—Nas, Big Noyd, Jorja Smith, H.E.R., Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Pusha T, and Malice—together make up less than 20%. This blend comes together perfectly.

Havoc spent years grieving the loss of his bandmate and brother-in-arms, carefully considering how to pay musical tribute to him. “You want to do something to send your comrade off with a 21-gun salute… because he deserves that,” he said during a recent appearance on the Bootleg Kev podcast. With help from his longtime collaborator The Alchemist, Havoc put together Infinite, Mobb Deep’s ninth album and the latest installment in Mass Appeal’s "Legend Has It" series.

The album begins with a raw street narrative and an atmospheric tension that captures the essence of the duo's best work in "Against The World." The production sets a strong tone for the entire album, featuring eerie piano chords and a subtle jazz sample, all anchored by dry, snapping drums. "Gunfire" follows with hard-hitting, deep production, marking a return to the unique snapping beats characteristic of the Queensbridge crew. After seven years apart, the chemistry between the artists is still evident, showcasing the true spirit of Mobb Deep.

On “Easy Bruh,” Havoc uses an ominous piano loop and raw drums to create a thuggish anthem where both MCs exchange threats and insults. The hook, which chants “Easy bruh, better take it easy bruh,” serves as both a warning and an insult. “Look At Me” features Pusha T and Malice from Clipse delivering gritty and tough lyrics over a dark production. As Pusha T and Malice trade lines seamlessly, Havoc also contributes a standout verse in the middle, making it one of the record's highlights.

“The M. The O. The B. The B.” features a haunting beat with muted drum patterns that enhance the low-end depth. Havoc delivers one of his strongest verses on the album, joined by Big Noyd with impressive lyrics. The hook nods back to an old-school line from Boogie Down Productions' “Jimmy,” which fits seamlessly into the track.

Jorja Smith adds a beautiful and soulful touch with her smooth vocals alongside Havoc and Nas on “Down For Me.” This is a standout track on the album, showcasing Havoc's emotional flow as he raps from the heart. Nas also shines, offering his signature wisdom and playful references, including a clever twist on his line about “Halle Berry blowing a kiss at the Barbra Streisand concert” from “It’s Mine.” That moment feels both nostalgic and fun. The production features a beautiful sample of “Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber, making it truly memorable.

The track "Taj Mahal," produced by The Alchemist, evokes an old-school Mobb Deep vibe while reimagining a Prodigy song that first leaked in 2011. The loop is mood-altering and features a twisting progression that feels hypnotic without being excessive—it's impressively authentic. The integration of Prodigy’s verses is seamless, and the energy is perfectly matched.

In “Mr. Magik,” we experience more of those menacing beats, as Prodigy and Havoc deliver creative lyrics that flow smoothly with the rhythm. This track embodies the classic Mobb Deep sound, showcasing Prodigy’s sharp-tongued bravado alongside Havoc’s smooth wordplay, resulting in a quintessential Mobb Deep experience.

“Score Points” features Hav and Prodigy delivering gritty, rough vocals over a strong drumbeat and a bassline that flows rhythmically. While the lyrics are solid, the overall production feels a bit lacking, making the track seem somewhat out of place on the album.

In contrast, “My Era” is a masterful blend of music that pays tribute to a generation of rap icons. Havoc and Prodigy craft a haunting groove coupled with a militant beat that feels reflective—vintage in vibe but crisp in sound. This homage to the golden age of hip-hop includes shout-outs to legends like Big Pun, Wu-Tang Clan, Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., and 2Pac. When Prodigy proclaims, “Big Pun, you still here,” it resonates deeply, especially in light of Pun's passing. It's haunting, emotional, and beautiful all at once, as if Prodigy is communicating from another realm.

Another top track, "Pour The Henny," delivers a tranquil yet powerful production. It features a hard-hitting verse from Prodigy, where he reflects on his career achievements, making his absence feel even more poignant. Havoc provides a strong verse, and Nas returns with his iconic flow, effortlessly riding Havoc's production and concluding his verse with a heartfelt tribute to Prodigy. Nas's line, "It’s hell out here, so keep God close," beautifully ties everything together, encapsulating themes of faith, loss, legacy, and strength in one track.

The energy transitions seamlessly into "Clear Black Nights," which reunites Raekwon and Ghostface Killah alongside Havoc and Prodigy. It’s evident that they couldn’t release this album without Raekwon and Ghostface exchanging vivid bars filled with imagery of luxury, danger, and devotion. Havoc creates a cinematic Wu-Tang atmosphere using subtle percussion and layered strings, crafting a hazy backdrop that enhances the flow of the music.

The track “Discontinued” has production that doesn't quite meet the project's expectations. While Prodigy and Havoc deliver strong verses, it's not one of the standout tracks. On the other hand, “Love The Way (Down For You PT2)” uses the same production as “Down For You” but features slightly different lyrics and showcases H.E.R.'s beautiful vocals. Personally, I prefer “Down For You” a bit more.

The album concludes with the perfect track, “We The Real Thing.” This song feels like a declaration of truth, emphasizing that everything they preached was genuine. It resonates with themes of Queensbridge, legacy, survival, and a spiritual essence that hints at what lies beyond the physical realm. Produced by Havoc, the track features a recurring synth line that drives the momentum forward, while the drums hit harder and the bass is deep, allowing Prodigy and Havoc to flow seamlessly with the music. This closing statement reaffirms Mobb Deep's identity, proclaiming, “we the real thing, no pretending.”

Posthumous albums often fall short, but Havoc has successfully maintained the stylistic integrity of the music by showcasing the storytelling and lyricism of both Havoc and Prodigy, along with exceptional production from Havoc and The Alchemist. Although Havoc handled the production, the album feels as if Prodigy’s spirit guided him throughout the process. You can feel the love and loyalty Havoc has poured into this project, which reflects on the past, the present, and the future. It balances the essence of old-school hip-hop with a fresh and modern vibe.

One Love – Todd M. Judd